Office of Counseling and Career ServicesThe Office of Counseling and Career Services at Ursuline College offers personal counseling on a short-term basis and, in areas of drug or alcohol dependency, refers individuals to available community resources for formal assessment purposes, treatment and/or entrance into support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Glenbeigh Health Sources of Cleveland, etc. For more information please contact 440 646 8322.

WellnessAs part of the College’s commitment to educating the whole person, alcohol and drug information is consistently gathered and programming offered to build awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. These occur for both resident and commuter students with an alcohol awareness week in the spring. The college participates in the CORE Drug and Alcohol survey every other year. Additionally, students are encouraged to develop and lead programming efforts aimed at providing information on making responsible life choices in these areas. Wellness is central to the Ursuline College Mission which focuses on the holistic education of students.

College PolicyAlcohol Policy Ursuline College exists in a state that regulates the consumption of alcohol beverages. Under state law one must be 21 years of age in order to purchase or consume liquor, wine, wine coolers, liqueur, beer or other alcoholic beverages. Ohio state law also prohibits the carrying of an open container of any alcoholic beverage on the street or in a motor vehicle. Criminal penalties range from fines to imprisonment depending on the nature and seriousness of the offense.

Ursuline College policy will be in accord with state law and with local ordinances regarding the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverage. The policy recognizes that alcohol abuse leads to a variety of physical and/or emotional problems. These effects may be significant or even fatal. As a college whose primary mission is the education of women, Ursuline College is also concerned that both men and women understand that using alcohol while pregnant may cause damage to a fetus. Within this context, the following comprise the Ursuline College policy on the use of alcohol:

No persons under age shall consume, purchase or be served any alcoholic beverage.

No alcoholic beverage is permitted in the student residence hall rooms.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in residence hall public areas and in the buildings of the College except with approval.

Registered parties and events on campus with alcohol will be permitted only in conjunction with procedures established in accord with this policy.

College sponsored events held off campus will be on a cash bar basis unless specifically approved by the President.

The college will provide alcohol awareness education programming and counseling opportunities for those who seek/or would benefit from such counseling.

Parental NotificationThe Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits institutions to directly contact parents or legal guardians of students under the age of 21 who are found responsible for violating institution policies on the use or possession of alcohol or controlled substances. After lengthy discussion and review, we concluded that college staff from the Vice President of Student Affairs Office will notify parents or guardians when a student is found responsible for the use, sale or possession of controlled substances (illegal drugs) within the community.

We will also notify parents or guardians when that student is found to have violated the Student code of conduct policies on the use and possession of alcohol when they are under the age of 21 and one or more of the following occurs:

When a student has been found to have violated the alcohol policy a second time;

When there is significant property damage;

When medical attention to any person, including the student, is required as a result of the student’s alcohol-related behavior;

When the student demonstrates reckless disregard for his or her own personal safety or the safety of others; or

There is evidence that the student’s alcohol-related behavior negatively impacted the learning environment.

Drug PolicyThe possession, use, and/or distribution or sale of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and other controlled substances is a violation of both federal and state law. Criminal penalties range from fines to community service to imprisonment depending on the nature and seriousness of the offense.

The use of such substances is destructive to both physical health and mental well-being. Negative effects associated with drug abuse include cardiovascular damage, respiratory failure, injury through violence or deliberately self-destructive behavior, a depressed immune system and memory impairment.

The possession, use, distribution or sale of any controlled substance or illegal drug by any member of the Ursuline College community while on campus, at an off-campus educational site, or at a college sponsored event is a violation of college policy. Such violations will be handled according to procedures outlined in the appropriate Employee or Student Handbook. Sanctions may include discipline up to and including expulsion and referral to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for prosecution.